2015.12.17
Uruma City Business Fair focuses on agriculture, food
Uruma City in central Okinawa was created just about 10 years ago in 2015 when cities of Gushikawa and Ishikawa and Katsuren and Yonashiro towns were merged to form the city of Uruma.
Although Uruma does not have especially large agricultural areas, the city is known for several specialty products, such as mozuku seaweed, yellow carrots from Tsuken Island and sea salt. The Uruma Business Fair that takes place his Saturday and Sunday has naturally concentrated in the past to promoting local produce and traditional crafts but this time, organizers say, they have switched the focus more to the practical side in order to provide visitors to the fair more fun experience.
One of the most popular events in last year’s fair was a planting workshop. Available slots in the workshop were filled within minutes after the start of accepting registrations.
On Sunday, the program features the 17th Islandwide Yamaimo (sticky yam) Tournament. Participants compete on who has managed to grow the biggest yamaimo. The winner last year weighed 280 kg. Hundreds of yamaimo will be lined up to vie for the honors.
The Product Fair of Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, will take place jointly with the fair.
Visitors to the fair are given lottery tickets with every ¥500 purchase of products at the fair, and everyone who collects three tickets can participate. The first 200 visitors who buy ¥1,000 wprth of products are presented Sandanka plants (West Indian Jasmine).
Entertainment at the fair includes a comedy show by nationally popular comedians ‘8.6 seconds bazooka’ and ‘Bambi-no’
The Uruma Business Fair is open 10:00 ~ 18:00 on both Saturday and Sunday at Uruma City Ishikawa Branch Office and Ishikawa Gymnasium. Admission to the fair is free.